Travel Talk featuring Edward Leos, publisher of The Hotel Guide

The future of hospitality won't be shaped by properties alone—it will be shaped by people. In this episode of Travel Talk, I sit down with Anna Blue, one of the industry's most respected voices on leadership, workforce development, and social impact, for a conversation that couldn't be more relevant as hospitality enters a new era. Fresh off discussions surrounding the upcoming Hospita...

Summer travel is evolving — and the destinations leading the next era of luxury travel are changing with it. Join Edward & Roxann Leos for a new conversation exploring the top Summer destinations shaping travel right now, a preview of the upcoming edition of The Hotel Guide, and how guest expectations, luxury experiences, and destination discovery continue to evolve. From emerging travel trend...

Luxury hospitality, storytelling, entrepreneurship, and global travel all intersect in this powerful episode of Travel Talk. Edward Leos, CEO & Publisher of The Hotel Guide, sits down with Tatiana Montenegro, Vice President of Effy Group, for a conversation that goes far beyond jewelry. From growing up in a family of immigrant restauranteurs to working in hospitality, cruise ships, global tour...

What defines great hospitality today? Is it design… service… or something deeper? In this episode of Travel Talk , Edward R. Leos sits down with Abigail Tan, CEO of St. Giles Hotels, to explore how modern hospitality is evolving beyond transactions—and into something far more meaningful. From growing up immersed in hotel development to leading an international brand, Abigail shares a perspective s...

What if the greatest barrier to travel isn’t distance— but access? In this episode of Travel Talk , Edward R. Leos sits down with Brooks Laich, former NHL athlete turned Founder & CEO of World Playground, to unpack a fundamental shift happening across the global travel landscape. This isn’t a conversation about booking engines or hotel rooms. It’s about why travel changes people—and why too ma...

In this special, unscripted episode of Travel Talk , Edward R. Leos—Publisher of The Hotel Guide—steps away from the script and speaks from the heart. Recorded on his 55th birthday, this episode is a raw and honest reflection on a 33-year journey through entrepreneurship, leadership, faith, and resilience. From taking a low-paying opportunity that changed the course of his life… to building a publ...

In this episode of Travel Talk , Janine Pezarro joins Edward R. Leos for a conversation that cuts directly into one of the most overlooked drivers in luxury hospitality today: environment as a strategic advantage. As luxury and boutique hotels face increasing pressure from design convergence and experience parity, the real differentiator is no longer what guests see—it’s what they feel . Janine br...

Luxury today is no longer defined by where you go — but how it makes you feel. In this episode of Travel Talk , Edward R. Leos sits down with Evelyn Ginossi , Founder of Marine & Vine , to explore how luxury is evolving beyond hotels into ritual, sensory experience, and emotional connection . Marine & Vine is not just a product — it’s a reflection of a lifestyle inspired by the beaches of...

Luxury travel has never looked better—but beneath the surface, something critical is changing. In this episode of Travel Talk , Edward Leos breaks down the shift redefining luxury hospitality—and why many hotels risk becoming interchangeable despite rising investment, design innovation, and service excellence. This conversation explores: The rise of luxury saturation and design convergence Why exp...

Luxury hospitality is changing — and the brands that lead with experience, wellness, and purpose are setting the pace. In this episode of Travel Talk , Edward R. Leos interviews George Vlachopoulos , Area General Manager of Six Senses La Sagesse , about the future of luxury travel, guest experience, and leadership in modern hospitality. This conversation dives into the key trends shaping the next...

Luxury hospitality is evolving — and the leaders shaping its future are thinking globally. In this episode of Travel Talk, we sit down with Narawadee Bualert, CEO of the iconic lebua Hotels & Resorts, to explore what it truly takes to lead a globally recognized luxury hospitality brand in today’s rapidly shifting travel landscape. From Bangkok to the world stage, lebua has built a reputation f...

In this episode of Travel Talk , host Edward R. Leos sits down with Lucy Shulman , Director of Sales & Marketing for the upcoming Kimpton Ashbel New York – Park Avenue , to explore the strategy, vision, and leadership behind one of NYC’s most anticipated hotel openings. From pre-opening marketing and sales positioning to guest experience design and luxury traveler expectations, this conversati...

In this episode of Travel Talk , host Edward R. Leos , CEO & Publisher of The Hotel Guide, sits down with Deniz Dorbek , Founder of Regulus Collective, a global investment and advisory platform focused on lifestyle and luxury hospitality innovation. Together, they explore how the hospitality industry is evolving beyond traditional models — and why technology, wellness, and integrated lifestyle...

Luxury travel isn’t about discounts—it’s about trust, relationships, and exceptional experiences .In this episode of Travel Talk, Edward R. Leos, CEO and Publisher of The Hotel Guide, shares a major announcement: The Hotel Guide’s new luxury booking partnership aligned with Boutique Travel Advisors. Edward explains why the traditional luxury booking model is broken, how curated travel restores val...

In this episode of Travel Talk , we sit down with Scott Eddy , global travel entrepreneur and founder of Mr. Scott Eddy , to discuss the evolving travel media landscape, the creator economy, and how brands can build authentic, revenue-driving partnerships. We cover: • The future of travel media • Personal branding strategies that work • Influencers vs. creators — what’s the difference? • How hotel...

Luxury travel is changing — and the rules are no longer what they used to be. In this episode of Travel Talk, Edward Leos and Roxann Leos dive into the evolution of modern luxury travel, uncovering what today’s travelers truly value and where the industry is headed next. From experience-driven travel to the growing importance of authenticity, storytelling, and emotional connection, this conversati...

Luxury travel is evolving — and the brands shaping the future are built on purpose, cultural integrity, and authentic connection. In this episode, we sit down with Semra Hunter, Founder of SAHARAÏ, to explore how conscious, culturally rooted travel is redefining what luxury truly means. Semra shares her journey of building a globally recognized travel brand while staying deeply connected to herita...

Join us for an inspiring episode of Travel Talk as we sit down with Allie Evangelista, President of Hard Rock Casino Bristol , to explore her remarkable journey from humble beginnings in Brazil to leading one of Virginia’s most exciting hospitality and entertainment destinations. In this interview, Allie shares how her passion for hospitality began with a life-changing internship at Walt Disney Wo...

Get ready for a high-energy conversation with Tim Morrow , the forward-thinking CEO of the San Antonio Zoo —one of the fastest-growing and most innovative zoological destinations in the United States. In this episode of Travel Talk with Edward Leos , we explore how the Zoo is redefining wildlife conservation , elevating family travel experiences , and creating unforgettable eco-tourism adventures...

In this episode, host Edward Leos sits down with Laura Penney , CEO of the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel , for an inspiring and eye-opening conversation about leadership, culture, community, and the remarkable evolution of one of the Pacific Northwest’s most unique destinations. Laura shares: ✨ The story of opening the resort’s doors in 1993 ✨ How tribal values & heritage shape every asp...

From bellman to VP of Marketing — Andrew Ladd’s journey is a masterclass in passion, perseverance, and people-first leadership. In this inspiring episode of Travel Talk , host Edward Leos , publisher of The Hotel Guide , sits down with Andrew Ladd , VP of Marketing for Noble House Hotels & Resorts , to explore how one of hospitality’s most respected brands continues to redefine luxury and auth...

What if every destination could make the planet better—one guest at a time? 🌎 In this episode of Travel Talk , host Edward Leos sits down with Christine Kane , CEO of Audubon International , to explore how sustainability, hospitality, and leadership are reshaping the travel experience. Christine shares powerful insights into: How hotels, resorts, and golf destinations are embracing green certific...

Discover how The Hotel Guide selects its Publishers’ Picks —now expanded to 15 categories —and what’s new in our 2025 Awards Edition (publishing November 25, 2025 ). Hosts Edward Leos and Roxann Leos take you behind the scenes of the hospitality industry: how winners stand out, which hotels, resorts, destinations, and experiences rise to the top, and what trends will shape 2026 . Why watch: The ex...

What if travel could change the world — and you along with it? In this moving episode of Travel Talk, host Edward Leos sits down with Adam Asher, the visionary behind Rugged Compass and the Humanitarian News Feed, to explore how adventure, faith, and compassion intersect to create purpose-driven journeys. 🌍✨Adam shares powerful stories from the road — moments that reveal the heart of humanity an...

🎯 What defines true boutique luxury—and how do independent hotels stay authentic in a world of big brands? In this episode of The Travel Talk Podcast , host Edward Leos , CEO of The Hotel Guide , sits down with Frances Kiradjian , visionary Founder of the Boutique & Luxury Lodging Association (BLLA) , to explore the movement redefining hospitality around individuality, creativity, and soul. F...